I had the opportunity to help support the Greater Boston Community Land Trust Network to advocate for state funding. The Network testified at the state house for S.1010 / H.1576. Check out this article in Bay State Banner: https://baystatebanner.com/2025/07/03/new-legislation-aims-to-create-more-permanently-affordable-housing-in-mass/
Below is the testimony I submitted on June 25, 2025.
Testimony in support of S.1010 / H.1576
Good afternoon, I’m Penn Loh, a Teaching Professor at Tufts Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. I’ve long been a research partner with community land trusts (CLTs) across the state. I am here to testify on S.1010 / H.1576 An Act relative to creating a permanent affordability homeownership program known as Homes for Lasting Affordability.
Massachusetts has been at the forefront of innovation for models of permanently affordable housing, such as CLTs. We can continue being at the forefront with this bill. My message today is that CLTs and other permanently affordable housing models are wise public policy, that are proven, equitable, and efficient.
They have proven to buffer the impacts of gentrification in hot markets and foreclosures in cold ones.
- Our state is home to some of the oldest urban and rural community land trusts in the country. Dudley Neighbors Inc in Boston and Berkshire CLT have close to or over 40 years of experience.
- In last decade, the CLT movement has grown, with 7 new CLTs formed in the Boston area alone, joining others in Springfield, Amherst, Martha’s Vineyard, Brockton, and beyond.
- Why are they spreading? Because these models treat housing as a human right and take land off the speculative market.
They are equitable because they bring stable and secure housing opportunities to communities that have been historically red-lined and excluded from home ownership.
- With stable, affordable homes, families can invest in their children’s education and their retirement. They stay in place to build community and social capital.
- Homeowners also build their wealth, but share the equity with the community. The amount they can sell for is limited to what they invested plus a modest return, so that affordability can be preserved for the next buyer.
They are efficient policy, as public investments continue to pay off for generations, rather than being lost after the initial buyer.
Massachusetts isn’t alone in working with community groups and CLTs on permanently affordable home ownership. A number of states have programs with millions and ten of millions invested: Minnesota has the Community Homeownership Impact Fund, Colorado has a State Affordable Housing Fund, Virginia supports a community land trust subsidy program ($10 mil) and Baltimore has a CLT homeownership subsidy program ($4 mil).
Please keep MA in the forefront of innovation for lasting housing solutions by supporting this bill.
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